the amount of debt that -- >> that's the economy, exactly. i think what's interesting and what i'm looking to see is, what exactly does this vaunted pivot to asia mean? does that mean they're going to take their eye off other crucial areas, like what's happens in africa with the al qaeda affiliates. what about the peace situation in israel? the truth of the matter is unless israel/palestine is fixed and solved, many of these neighboring countries are going to feel the reverberations. >> should that would be a priority? >> i think so. and so do many people who cover that region. it will take political capital and political courage. without a vested u.s. presidential involvement that is really consistent and persistent, not much is going to change. and previous histories have shown when the u.s. president is really into it, things do change. but i think come back to afghanistan, the president wants to get out of that country and is, 2014 will be the out date. this is where al qaeda started. and people are concerned that the u.s. and other force